Who Is Suitable for Gynaecomastia Surgery?
The term gynaecomastia is more commonly referred to as ‘man boobs.’ It occurs in males when the breasts grow abnormally large. It can affect both or just one of the breasts. It is not regarded as a medically serious condition, but the swollen breasts can be painful, and also a source of acute psychological distress.
What causes gynaecomastia?
The condition is caused by a hormone imbalance in the body, when the male has abnormal levels of oestrogen and less testosterone. This triggers the growth of extra breast tissue, which can either be a small amount around the nipples or a more noticeable protuberance on the chest.
Gynaecomastia can be apparent in newborn boys due to the effect of the mother’s hormones in the placenta, but this is usually temporary according to the NHS. The condition may also appear during adolescence as the hormone levels fluctuate, but again the problem will often resolve itself over time.
Older men may develop the problem if their testosterone levels drop, which is a natural process in the maturing male body.
Being overweight or obese is another cause of gynaecomastia. This can either be because of an increase in oestrogen that is a side effect of being overweight, or because of a gathering of excess fat around the chest area. In other cases, the condition may be the result of drug or alcohol misuse, the side effect of medication, or a genetic disorder.
How is gynaecomastia treated?
Anyone who is concerned that they may have gynaecomastia should visit their GP in the first instance, to check if there are any underlying causes. The condition may be treated with medication to correct hormone imbalances if this is diagnosed as the cause.
Another option may be breast reduction surgery if the problem has persisted for over two years, or isn’t responding to other treatment. Cosmetic surgery is not usually available on the NHS, although there may be a few exceptions, for example if it is causing excessive pain.
The procedure isn’t suitable for men who are simply overweight and have made no attempt to address the problem through a change of diet or more exercise. However if the problem is caused by growth of the glandular tissue in the breasts rather than excess fat, surgery may be the right solution.
How is male breast reduction carried out?
The procedure will usually take place under a general anaesthetic, and will take about 90 – 120 minutes. The surgeon will make a cut around the nipple to remove excess fat and tissue. This may be done via liposuction or using a scalpel. The nipple may be repositioned to ensure that it is a natural looking place on the chest.
After the procedure, the patient will need to wear dressings and a compression garment to aid with the healing process. This should be kept in place for between one to two weeks. It may be six weeks before a full recovery is made. Some visible scarring in the chest area will remain.
If you are looking for male breast reduction in Lincolnshire, please get in touch today.